#17,181
Although the results have not been spectacular, we've seen several studies indicating that the new Bivalent COVID booster shots do a better job of protecting recipients against symptomatic and/or severe infection with the newer Omicron variants than did the older formulation.
Despite these improvements, uptake of the new bivalent booster shot has been disappointing (see CDC chart below). Given our dwindling armamentarium of COVID treatments (see FDA Withdraws EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) For Last COVID Monoclonal Antibody: Bebtelovimab), prevention should be a high priority.
On Friday the CDC's MMWR published two early estimates of the relative effectiveness of the new bivalent vaccines compared to the older booster, and while we don't know how long their effectiveness will last, they do appear to provide increased protection; particularly against hospitalization of those > 64 years of age.
Due to their lengths, I've only provided the links and summaries of each report. Follow the links to read them in their entirety.
Early Estimates of Bivalent mRNA Vaccine Effectiveness in Preventing COVID-19–Associated Hospitalization Among Immunocompetent Adults Aged ≥65 Years — IVY Network, 18 States, September 8–November 30, 2022
Early Release / December 16, 2022 / 71
Diya Surie, MD1,*; Jennifer DeCuir, MD, PhD1,*; Yuwei Zhu, MD2; Manjusha Gaglani, MBBS3,4; Adit A. Ginde, MD5; David J. Douin, MD5; H. Keipp Talbot, MD2; Jonathan D. Casey, MD2; Nicholas M. Mohr, MD6; Anne Zepeski, PharmD6; Tresa McNeal, MD3,4; Shekhar Ghamande, MD3,4; Kevin W. Gibbs, MD7; D. Clark Files, MD7; David N. Hager, MD, PhD8; Harith Ali, MBBS8; Leyla Taghizadeh9; Michelle N. Gong, MD10; Amira Mohamed, MD10; Nicholas J. Johnson, MD11; Jay S. Steingrub, MD12; Ithan D. Peltan, MD13; Samuel M. Brown, MD13; Emily T. Martin, PhD14; Akram Khan, MD15; William S. Bender, MD16; Abhijit Duggal, MD17; Jennifer G. Wilson, MD18; Nida Qadir, MD19; Steven Y. Chang, MD, PhD19; Christopher Mallow, MD20; Jennie H. Kwon, DO21; Matthew C. Exline, MD22; Adam S. Lauring, MD, PhD23; Nathan I. Shapiro, MD24; Cristie Columbus, MD4,25; Natasha Halasa, MD2; James D. Chappell, MD, PhD2; Carlos G. Grijalva, MD2; Todd W. Rice, MD2; William B. Stubblefield, MD2; Adrienne Baughman2; Kelsey N. Womack, PhD2; Jillian P. Rhoads, PhD2; Kimberly W. Hart, MA2; Sydney A. Swan, MPH2; Nathaniel M. Lewis, PhD1; Meredith L. McMorrow, MD1,†; Wesley H. Self, MD2,†; IVY Network (VIEW AUTHOR AFFILIATIONS)View suggested citation
Summary
Early Estimates of Bivalent mRNA Vaccine Effectiveness in Preventing COVID-19–Associated Hospitalization Among Immunocompetent Adults Aged ≥65 Years — IVY Network, 18 States, September 8–November 30, 2022
What is already known about this topic?
Immunity from monovalent COVID-19 mRNA vaccination wanes over time. A bivalent COVID-19 mRNA booster dose is recommended for all eligible persons; however, little is known about its effectiveness against COVID-19 hospitalization.
What is added by this report?
Among immunocompetent adults aged ≥65 years hospitalized in the multistate IVY Network, a bivalent booster dose provided 73% additional protection against COVID-19 hospitalization compared with past monovalent mRNA vaccination only.
What are the implications for public health practice?
To maximize protection against severe COVID-19 this winter season, all eligible persons, especially adults aged ≥65 years, should receive a bivalent booster dose and consider additional prevention strategies, including masking in indoor public spaces.
Early Estimates of Bivalent mRNA Vaccine Effectiveness in Preventing COVID-19–Associated Emergency Department or Urgent Care Encounters and Hospitalizations Among Immunocompetent Adults — VISION Network, Nine States, September–November 2022
Early Release / December 16, 2022 / 71
Mark W. Tenforde, MD, PhD1; Zachary A. Weber, PhD2; Karthik Natarajan, PhD3,4; Nicola P. Klein, MD, PhD5; Anupam B. Kharbanda, MD6; Edward Stenehjem, MD7; Peter J. Embi, MD8,9; Sarah E. Reese, PhD2; Allison L. Naleway, PhD10; Shaun J. Grannis, MD9,11; Malini B. DeSilva, MD12; Toan C. Ong, PhD13; Manjusha Gaglani, MBBS14,15; Jungmi Han3; Monica Dickerson1; Bruce Fireman, MA5; Kristin Dascomb, MD, PhD7; Stephanie A. Irving, MHS10; Gabriela Vazquez-Benitez, PhD12; Suchitra Rao, MBBS13; Deepika Konatham16; Palak Patel, MBBS1; Kristin E. Schrader, MA2; Ned Lewis, MPH5; Nancy Grisel, MPP7; Charlene McEvoy, MD12; Kempapura Murthy, MBBS16; Eric P. Griggs, MPH1; Elizabeth A. K. Rowley, DrPH2; Ousseny Zerbo, PhD5; Julie Arndorfer, MPH7; Margaret M. Dunne, MSc2; Kristin Goddard, MPH5; Caitlin Ray, MPH1; Yan Zhuang, PhD2; Julius Timbol, MS5; Morgan Najdowski, MPH17; Duck-Hye Yang, PhD2; John Hansen, MPH5; Sarah W. Ball, ScD2; Ruth Link-Gelles, PhD17 (VIEW AUTHOR AFFILIATIONS)View suggested citation
Summary
What is already known about this topic?
Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 booster doses containing an Omicron BA.4/BA.5 sublineage component were recommended on September 1, 2022. The effectiveness of these updated vaccines against COVID-19–associated medical encounters has not been established.
What is added by this report?
Bivalent booster doses provided additional protection against COVID-19–associated emergency department/urgent care encounters and hospitalizations in persons who previously received 2, 3, or 4 monovalent vaccine doses. Because of waning of monovalent vaccine-conferred immunity, relative effectiveness of bivalent vaccines was higher with increased time since the previous monovalent dose.
What are the implications for public health practice?
All persons should stay up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, including receiving a bivalent booster dose if eligible.
And with just about everyone I see hacking and coughing this winter, I'll take whatever advantage I can get.
